“If locally led planning processes were followed then yes, the Prime Minister would be happy,” Mr Cameron’s spokesman said.

Downing Street also appeared to rule out giving local authorities a greater share of the profits generated from fracking.

The Government has said it will give town halls 1 per cent of the revenue generated from fracking in their area.

However, the Local Government Association has called for councils to be given as much as 10 per cent of the profits.

Downing Street said that 1 per cent represents a “good level”.

“[The Prime Minister] thinks that shale gas has huge potential benefits for the economy in terms of job creation,” the spokesman said.

“His view is that there are potential benefits to consumers in terms of lower gas bills, energy bills and so on…. but that any kind of development or exploration must follow a locally led planning process [and] where shale gas exploration does take place the local community benefits. We’ve talked about a figure of 1 per cent… we feel that that is a good level. That’s what we are currently set at.”

The Prime Minister has in recent weeks urged communities to “seize” the chance to have shale gas exploration near their homes, saying drill sites are only the size of a cricket pitch and there is little evidence the process causes environmental damage or contaminates water supplies as campaigners have claimed.

Fracking could create 70,000 jobs and lower energy bills for millions, while communities which accept it will be given sweeteners of £100,000 for their area, Mr Cameron has said.